Match Report: Torquay United 2 Eastbourne Borough 2

Torquay United squandered more important points as they allowed struggling Eastbourne Borough to equalise in stoppage-time of a desperately scrappy game at Plainmoor (writes Dave Thomas).

Gary Johnson’s still injury-hit Gulls, coming off the back of defeats to Chelmsford and Truro City on Boxing Day, we’re way below par for most of the match.

But, after deservedly falling behind to a Callum Kealy goal in the 38th minute, they somehow managed to hit back through second-half goals by Dillon De Silva and Will Jenkins Davies.

Little had gone right for either of them on another worrying afternoon for a 2,000+ crowd, but they scored when it counted

But just when they should have clinched a precious victory, United cracked in defence and allowed Decarrey Sheriff in for a soft equaliser in the 93rd minute.

Far from easing, United’s selection problems had deepened, with Ryan Hanson joining the injury list and Dylan Crowe ill.

So just the eight players still unavailable then!

But at least veteran midfielder Asa Hall was fit enough to be named on the bench.

Johnson had not been able to make any new signings since Christmas, so Foyo was the only specialist striker in the squad.

The first 20 minutes against Truro had been pretty dreadful, and it was no better this afternoon. It wasn’t long before United started giving the ball away, either through poor first-touch or misplaced passes.

Ethon Archer and Lewis Collins were among those guilty.

After only 16 seconds, Archer’s mistake set up an Eastbourne counter which saw Sheriff cross from their right and Kealy head down and into Halstead’s arms when he should have done better.

It was 25 minutes before the Gulls mounted any serious pressure, through a series of set-pieces taken by Jenkins Davies.

They couldn’t make any of them count.

De Silva found himself in several good crossing positions, but failed to deliver with any accuracy.

It looked as if Borough had gone down to ten men when referee Ashley Clarke showed a second yellow card to Archie Procter for taking out De Silva with a crude tackle.

But after showing the red card to Procter, he realised that it was Sam Beard who had made the challenge, and booked him instead.

Moments later, in the 38th minute, Borough took the lead.

Sheriff had a shot blocked, United could not clear the loose ball and Kealy pounced with a low 15- yard shot low past Halstead’s right hand...0-1.

Ollie Tomlinson and Collins both had chances just before half-time, Tomlinson glancing a Jenkins Davies corner wide and Collins blasting a volley high and even wider.

Things were looking no more promising at the start of the second half when the Gulls equalised out of the blue.

De Silva picked the ball up from a melee by halfway touchline, set off on a diagonal run past a series of defenders and, finally clear, drove a left foot shot into bottom right-hand corner from 15 yards...1-1.

Archie Harris was lucky to earn only a booking for a lunging foul on Sheriff as United continued to struggle against tiring opponents.

Gravata let fly for the visitors from 20 yards in the 56th minute, forcing Halstead into a hurried parry.

But in the 73rd minute Torquay somehow found themselves in front.

Tomlinson, who seemed to be carrying an arm injury in the closing stages, hit De Silva with a diagonal pass.

The winger, who had just delivered two awful crosses, finally came up with a decent pass to Jenkins Davies, who had made a determined run from midfield, and he scored with aplomb from ten yards...2-1.

That really should have been it.

Hall went on to loud cheers after his long lay-off - he nearly scored within seconds – and Brett McGavin was inches over with a 35-yard drive.

But United carried on making mistakes even when they should have been killing the contest.

And in the third of eight minutes stoppage-time they failed to deal with a hopeful ball down the middle, Moxey nearly got there on the cover as Halstead came out, but Sheriff bundled the ball into the empty net... 2-2.

More points thrown away.

Torquay United (4-3-3): Halstead; Marshall (Thomas 90+1), Tomlinson, Moxey, Harris; Archer (Martin 81),McGavin, Jenkins Davies; De Silva, Foyo, Collins (Hall 86); subs not used – Lovett, Chastey.

Booked: Marshall 45+2, Harris 50.

Eastbourne Borough (3-5-2): Dudzinski; Carter, Olarewaju, Procter; Gravata, Uche (Ligendza 64),Clarke, Sheriff, Beard (Leslie 51); Vigar, Kealy (Quick 64); subs not used – Foulkes, Collins.

Booked: Procter 14, Beard 34, Carter 67, Clarke 78.

Referee: Ashley Clarke (Birmingham).

Attendance: 2,061 (16 Borough fans).